Diwali (or Deepavali) is a major Indian holiday, and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. [3] Many legends are associated with Diwali. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs across the globe as the “Festival of Lights,” where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being. Diwali is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the month Kartika.[4]

This year it’s today, Oct. 28.

In many parts of India, it is the homecoming of Lord Ram of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest, after he defeated the evil and demonic Ravan.[5] The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Ram by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deeva), thus its name: Deepavali. This word, in due course, became Diwali in Hindi. But, in South Indian languages, the word did not undergo any change, and hence the festival is called Deepavali in southern India. There are many different observances of the holiday across India.